India took control of the second Test as Mohammed Siraj unleashed a game-changing spell at Edgbaston.
Bumrah unavailable, Siraj led the bowling attack with confidence and precision, scalping six crucial wickets in the first innings to derail England’s strong recovery attempt.
England staged a remarkable recovery, thanks to a 303-run stand for the sixth wicket between Harry Brook and Jamie Smith. Just when it seemed the hosts would gain complete control, Siraj struck with the second new ball, triggering a collapse and ending England’s innings at 407. Akash Deep chipped in, but it was Siraj who stood out as the most impactful bowler.
Speaking after the day’s play, Siraj emphasized his readiness to shoulder the responsibility. Having played 38 Test matches, he acknowledged the relatively newer experience of bowlers like Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna.
“I have been through many challenges in life, so I welcome responsibility. My focus was to maintain a consistent line and length, even though I had conceded nearly 600 runs in the series so far,” he said.
He dismissed big names like Joe Root and Ben Stokes early on Day 3, giving India a dream start. Later, in the final session, he cleaned up the tail by removing Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir in quick succession.
DSP #Siraj gets Ben Stokes for a Golden Duck and a big wicket of Joe Root During #INDvsEND 🔥pic.twitter.com/aSmXmEPvOL
— A D V A I T H (@advaithspeaks) July 4, 2025
Siraj also spoke about the changing nature of the pitch and India’s game plan. He pointed out that the wicket was slowing down, making patience and discipline key for bowlers. With India reaching 64/1 at stumps and leading by 244 runs, Siraj said the team’s focus remains on building as big a lead as possible, given England's aggressive batting mindset.
The performance was extra special for Siraj as he finally secured a five-wicket haul on English soil a milestone that had eluded him until now. “I’ve been waiting for over a year for a fifer. I was always stuck at four wickets. These six wickets in England mean a lot to me,” he said with a smile.
Siraj’s spell not only provided India with a significant lead but also reaffirmed his status as a dependable strike bowler, especially in the absence of senior players. His maturity and grit under pressure served as a major boost for India as they look to press for a win in this crucial Test.